The Roundup: Tech and Business News To Know This Week

It’s been a busy week ya’ll (I’m not Southern, I just love the word ya’ll)! So, here’s the top tech and business news you need to know this week.

Kerry Washington Steps Behind The Camera

Scandal star (and my BFF in my head) Kerry Washington announced that she will executive produce her first weekly TV series under her production company Simpson Street. The weekly cop drama “Patrol” will follow the lives of four LAPD officers. Simpson Street also produced HBO’s hit “Confirmation.” The movie was based on the Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas case and starred Washington as Hill.

Apple Get A Hefty Tax Bill

Apple Store in Grand Central Station (Note: There isn’t an Apple Store in Ireland ◔_◔)

The European Union ordered Apple to pay $14.5 billion plus interest for 10 years of unpaid taxes to Ireland. Apple is one of several multinational companies accused of using “complex and opaque tax structures” and relocating their headquarters to places with low tax rates like Ireland to avoid paying their fair share to the tax man. Apple – who as denied the accusations- plans to fight the decision in an appeal.

Damon Dash Launches Streaming Shopping App

Mogul Damon Dash announced the launch of a new shopping app that will allow viewers to buy items featured on his shows on his new network. The app will work with Dame Dash TV his lifestyle TV network that launched last month with streaming provider FilmON. Dash told the Pret-a-Reporter, “I always wanted people to be able to buy the stuff they see.” The yet-to-be-named shopping app will be live in November.

After years of begging, Instagram finally released a new feature appropriately named, Zoom. The new addition will allow users to pinch to zoom in and out of photos and videos on their feeds. The new feature rolled out on IOS this week and will be available on Android in the coming weeks.

Google Looks To Disrupt A Taxi Disrupter

The king of search is looking to pull the rug out from under car-sharing behemoth, Uber. The Alphabet company stealthily began a ride sharing pilot program for companies located near its Silicon Valley headquarters back in May. The service uses the traffic app Waze to connect riders and drivers heading in the same direction. Riders are charged no more than $.54 a mile (for gas) to intentionally keep drivers from operating as taxis.

The move could prove popular with riders since the cost would most likely be lower than Uber and Lyft, however, the case is less compelling for drivers who would make far less.